Which earring is the gay one

However, some people prefer to seek out more glamorous-sounding metals.

Once you've eliminated potentially dangerous materials like nickel, choosing the right earring material really comes down to personal preference. But the whole "gay ear" thing has always been ironic, considering its ever-changing position throughout history.

The meaning often depends on personal choicerather than old rules. Traditions and trends change over time and place. Sailors frequently wore earrings, believing they would serve as protection against drowning at sea.

It's not quite clear how the earring became adopted by the gay community as a code.

That's one of the main advantages of this earring type, especially if you're after a bold look.

But the potential downside is that dangling earrings are sometimes heavy, and that can get uncomfortable. It often depends on fashion, tradition, or simply what feels right. It was a subtle way for some men to express their sexual orientationwithout words.

Today, many people wear earrings on any ear they like.

While not for everyone, Smith’s daring choices exemplify the power of accessories to make a personal and provocative statement.

Men’s Earring Fashion Trends: What’s Hot Now

Interested in trying men’s earrings for yourself? Styles change fast, and what was true years ago may not be true now.

Choosing which ear to pierce is a personal choice.

Men of all sexual orientations now have pierced ears, and not everyone follows (or knows about) the history of the right ear as the "gay ear."

That said, if you're gay, getting a right-ear piercing can be a kind of homage to the history of using a gay earring for signaling. However, physical ear piercings remained relatively uncommon and often considered taboo until the late 1960s.

These include stainless steel, titanium, copper, and sterling silver. And as ear piercings on both men and women are becoming more mainstream, more men than ever are opting to get their ears pierced.

A Brief History of the Gay Ear

Now you know a little bit about the gay ear. Some wear one earring; others wear many. .

Lyst, a company that tracks online shoppers' behavior, claims searches for men's earrings rose by 147 percent from 2022 to 2023 (see: Lil Nas X, Jared Leto, Harry Styles, Bad Bunny). The idea of a “gay ear” started in the 1980s in the West. While the question of "which ear is the gay ear" has long been a topic of debate, Porter’s red carpet looks always highlight his fearless approach to fashion, showing that bold accessories can transcend outdated stereotypes.

SAM SMITH: DROP EARRINGS

Sam Smith pushes fashion boundaries with adventurous earrings, including a bold glitzy phallic-shaped piece.

Landon Peoples is a POPSUGAR contributor.